Tuesday morning at Nad al Sheba was clear, warm, and sunny as the wind and sand from Monday had cleared up. Many of the horses expected to run in the $21 million total Dubai World Cup card on Saturday were out on the track to stretch their legs. Many horses went a lap around the main dirt track, which is a distance of 2200 meters (about 1 3/8 miles). This morning trainer Mike De Kock, who has several horses going on Saturday, had his stable out on the main track so quite a few of the ones below are his.

Here are photos and comments for 13 of the horses, all different from yesterday except Youmzain. Please click the smaller photos to see a larger version.

Archipenko, third in the Duty Free last year, is back for another shot in the about 1 1/8 mile turf race. He won the Zabeel Mile at Nad al Sheba for his final prep. Trainer Mike de Kock said, "Archipenko was arguably unlucky last year and has been a revelation since, winning in the UK and Hong Kong. He would have needed that comeback run and has been pleasing us since." Regular rider Kevin Shea retains the mount on Saturday.

Bankable is the second of two Duty Free runners trained by Mike de Kock, and comes into this race off a handicap win at Nad al Sheba. De Kock said, "Bankable has some good form in the UK and we were delighted with his win. It is a tough race but both should go well." Johnny Murtagh will be in the irons for the Duty Free.

Art of War, who set the pace in the Maktoum Challenge Round 3 before fading to third, is one of three Mike de Kock runners in the Godolphin Mile. De Kock said, "(Godolphin Racing's) Two Step Salsa and Two Step Salsa are going to be hard to beat but our three are well. Art of War has thrived on his busy campaign."

Trainer Mike De Kock watches Brave Tin Soldier prepare for the Godolphin Mile. He said, "We ran Brave Tin Soldier in a sprint to sharpen him up last time." In that race he was fifth in the 5 furlong Jebel Ali Sprint on March 13.

Lucky Find cantered on the turf course Tuesday morning in preparation for the Godolphin Mile. Trainer Mike de Kock said, "Lucky Find should be staying on at the end and hopefully we can get some prize money from the race but winning it will be tough."

Bamboo Ere comes into the Golden Shaheen off a disappointing 8th place finish in the February Stakes last time out. Trainer Akio Adachi said, "This is his first time race over a straight course, and we do not have anything like the straight course on dirt at the training centre in our country. So it is good for us to experience training over the course at Nad Al Sheba before the Saturday's race. He has settled in very well since he arrived. He likes the hot weather and keeps his good condition so far."

Sheema Classic contender Youmzain worked on the turf under regular rider Richard Hills, who said afterward, "That's as good as it gets. I was very happy with the feel that Youmzain gave me, and he has had an even better preparation than he had in the last two years. Everyone knows that he is a horse who likes to find trouble, so my job will be to get him in a pocket and then make sure I get out of it in the straight. Make no mistake, Youmzain is a very talented horse. He reminds me of Maraahel, and, though he was one of my favourites, this fellow is much better."

Spanish Moon breezed 6 furlongs on the turf under exercise rider Kevin Bradshaw in preparation for the Sheema Classic. John Cork, assistant to trainer Sir Michael Stoute said, "It was so hot when he got off the plane that he became edgy, but he has settled down and seemed in good form out there. We will put the horse through the starting stalls tomorrow morning as he can be tricky and we want the starter to see him for himself. However, he went in straight away when he won at Kempton last time, so, hopefully, he'll be fine. Win or lose, this race will make a man of him."

Deem, a 4-year-old daughter of Dalakhani, takes on males in the Sheema Classic after winning the Cape Verdi and then finishing fifth in the Balanchine against fillies and mares. She went out for a maintenance gallop on the main track on Tuesday for Saudi Arabia-based trainer Jerry Barton. Regular rider Fernando Jara gets the call on Saturday.

King of Rome galloped on the main track on Tuesday morning. Regular rider John Murtagh will be in the irons for the Sheema Classic on Saturday night. He exits a third place showing in the Dubai City of Gold last out. King of Rome is one of four horses trainer Mike De Kock has entered for the Sheema Classic, the others being Front House, MacArthur, and Russian Sage. De Kock said, "We were obviously delighted with Front House's victory and we knew she had come on a lot after her first two runs. She remains in good form and we were particularly pleased with King of Rome last time. He and Macarthur were always going to need runs to get spot on which hopefully they are now and Russian Sage we are stepping up to this trip which we hope will suit."

MacArthur comes into the Sheema Classic off a disappointing 8th place finish in the Dubai City of Gold, the major local prep for the race. Darren Beadman will be in the irons Saturday.

Balcarce Nov is one of two Herman Brown-trained horses in the UAE Derby. He exits a fourth place finish in the Meydan Classic on the turf and will switch to the main track Saturday with jockey Weichong Marwing aboard. Owner Jim Hay said of the prep race, "We actually hoped he'd win that day, but the saddle slipped backwards after he left the gate and I really don't know how John (Egan) managed to stay on him. We fancied Marwing to ride because he's a dirt specialist and he knows this track extremely well."

Redding Collery is the second Herman Brown entrant in the UAE Derby. He has finished third behind Desert Party and Regal Ransom in his two UAE starts to date, and has to turn that form around, but owner Jim Hay is confident he goes into the race in good nick, saying "He's as well as he can get him." John Egan will be in the irons on Saturday.